Chefetz Group
The Chefetz Group at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment focuses its activities on fundamental and applied aspects of environmental chemistry. We aim to enhance the knowledge and understanding the fate and interactions of organic pollutants in soil, water, and plants within the agro-environment. The group's primary research areas include the fate of contaminants of emerging concern originating from reclaimed wastewater and/or biosolids in agricultural ecosystems; the effects of wastewater irrigation on the transport and mobility of contaminants of emerging concern in soils; the role of plant cuticular matter as a natural sorbent for organic pollutants; and the use of plant materials as a matrix for the fabrication of metallic ions into nanoparticles.
Recent Studies
The Alexander microestuary flows into the Mediterranean Sea
Understanding the role of estuaries in controlling pollution
Studying the occurrence and concentration of contaminants of emerging concern such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals in micro-estuaries, which are especially susceptible to chemical pollution. Additionally, our research aims to understand the effect of different variables such as base flows vs. flood events, salinity, sediment-water partitioning, etc. on the fate and behaviour of these contaminants in estuaries.
Fate of organic contaminants in the agricultural field
Contaminants of emerging concern in the agro-environment
Studying the activity and reactivity of contaminants of emerging concern (pharmaceuticals, PFAS, microplastics, and tire-wear-derived compounds) in the agricultural environment. Our research aims to elucidate the fate of these contaminants in the water-soil-plant-human continuum and to evaluate risks.
SEM figure of nano iron particles
Innovative polymers used as fertilizers
Development of an innovative polymeric-based fertilizer. This study focuses on utilizing environmental waste and use it as a resource.